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Science News Archive October 2014


Page 20 of 35

New test can help doctors choose best treatment for ovarian cancer

Researchers developed a new test called ADNEX to accurately diagnose ovarian tumours and choose the most appropriate treatment. The test uses clinical information, tumour marker blood tests, and ultrasound scan features to discriminate between benign and malignant tumours with high accuracy.

Discovery of a new mechanism that can lead to blindness

Researchers at IRCM uncover the essential role of a protein called Numb in maintaining proper compartmentalization within photoreceptor cells, leading to vision loss and degenerative diseases like retinitis pigmentosa. The discovery could provide novel drug targets for preventing photoreceptor degeneration.

New guideline in genetic testing for certain types of muscular dystrophy

The American Academy of Neurology and the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine have developed a new guideline for determining the specific subtype of limb-girdle or distal muscular dystrophy. This guideline is based on a thorough review of available studies and provides recommendations for evaluating sympt...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Change your walking style, change your mood

Researchers showed subjects a list of positive and negative words, then asked them to walk on a treadmill while measuring their gait and posture. The study found that those who walked in a depressed style recalled more negative words from the earlier list, suggesting a link between walking style and mood.

Blinded by science

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that trivial elements like graphs and formulas can lead consumers to believe products are more effective. The researchers concluded that presenting consumers with 'scientific looking' information increases product confidence because individuals trust the appearance of scientific validity.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Climate change not responsible for altering forest tree composition

Research suggests that human activities such as clear-cutting and fire suppression have a greater impact on forest tree composition than climate change. The study analyzed 190 datasets to determine the relative impacts of climate versus altered disturbance regimes for various biomes across the eastern United States.

Weight gain study suggests polyunsaturated oil healthier option

Researchers found that eating muffins made with polyunsaturated oils improved blood cholesterol profiles and reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, those who ate muffins with saturated oils experienced increased bad cholesterol levels and insulin resistance.

VIMS to help protect key Native-American site

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is working to protect the historic village of Werowocomoco from erosion and sea-level rise. The project aims to create a living shoreline that mimics the natural habitat of the Native Americans who once inhabited the site.

Lake Erie increasingly susceptible to large cyanobacteria blooms

A new study led by University of Michigan researchers finds that microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in Lake Erie are becoming more sensitive to phosphorus, suggesting current reduction targets may not be enough to curb blooms. The team also suggests invasive quagga and zebra mussels may be driving the trend.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

£100k project to understand how the brain hears 3-D sound

A new technology aims to offer the ultimate listening experience by understanding how the brain perceives vertical sound. Researchers will develop software that converts 2D recordings into 3D using psycho-acoustic analysis and critical listening tests.

Why me? Many women living in poverty blame children, love life

A study by American researchers found that low-income mothers who attribute their poverty to having children tend to suffer greater levels of depression due to feelings of guilt and helplessness. Those who blame problems in romantic relationships experience more anxiety, possibly due to a lack of control over domestic issues.

Diversity in medical education: It's not so black and white anymore

The new approach to diversity in medical education focuses on differences beyond race and ethnicity, acknowledging shared experiences that no longer track simply with race. Achieving this requires a commitment to diversity that is inseparable from an institution's identity and success.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Prostate cancer's penchant for copper may be a fatal flaw

Prostate cancer cells hoard copper, and researchers have found a way to deliver a trove of copper along with a drug that selectively destroys the diseased cells. This combination approach could lead to improved treatments for late-stage disease.

Effects of high-risk Parkinson's mutation are reversible

Researchers found that deacetylase inhibitors can fully restore movement problems caused by the LRRK2 Parkinson's mutation in fruit flies. This study provides compelling evidence for a direct link between defective transport and movement problems, suggesting a potential therapy for people with this specific mutation.

Treating sleep apnea in cardiac patients reduces hospital readmission

A study of hospitalized cardiac patients found that effective treatment with positive airway pressure therapy reduces 30-day hospital readmission rates and emergency department visits. Patients who adhered to PAP therapy had a 30% lower risk of hospital readmission compared to those who used partial or no PAP therapy.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Researchers look to exploit females' natural resistance to infection

A team of scientists found that female mice are more resistant to respiratory infections due to the presence of an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase 3, which is triggered by estrogen. The researchers hope to develop drugs targeting this enzyme to improve resistance to common lung infections.

Prehistoric crocodiles' evolution mirrored in living species

A study reveals key details of prehistoric marine croc group Machimosaurus, showing adaptations for various habitats similar to modern-day crocodiles. The ancient species varied in body length and features, with some living in open seas and others in coastal environments.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Milky Way ransacks nearby dwarf galaxies

Astronomers discovered that nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxies lack star-forming gas, while those beyond a certain distance have abundant hydrogen. The Milky Way's gravity affects the composition of its smallest neighbors, shutting down star formation.

Novel mechanism affecting cell migration discovered

A team of scientists has uncovered a new mechanism controlling actin-rich protrusions that aid in cell migration, a process essential for development, wound healing, and immunological responses. GMF protein plays a key role in regulating these protrusions.

SwRI's Putzig named NASA Planetary Science Early Career Fellow

Nathaniel Putzig, a senior research scientist at SwRI, has been awarded the NASA Planetary Science Early Career Fellowship for his work on detecting ground ice within sand dunes across the southern hemisphere of Mars. The grant will support his research project using morphologic and thermal data.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Tuning light to kill deep cancer tumors

A novel strategy combining nanoparticle technology with FDA-approved photodynamic therapy has been developed to effectively kill deep-set cancer cells in vivo. The treatment uses low-power, deep-tissue-penetrating light to activate the cancer-killing drug, showing improved destruction of tumors with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Study models ways to cut Mexico's HIV rates

A new study by Brown University researchers estimates that increasing condom use among HIV-positive male sex workers could reduce the annual infection rate among their partners from 8% to 5.2%, while increasing antiretroviral therapy could slash the rate to 4.4%. The study also found that making interventions work, such as counteractin...

Researchers develop world's thinnest electric generator

Scientists have created the world's thinnest electric generator by harnessing the piezoelectric properties of a single atomic layer of MoS2. The device is optically transparent, extremely light, and bendable, making it ideal for wearable applications.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

The Lancet: Universal health coverage in Latin America series

The series examines four distinct phases in Latin American countries' history of health system reform and universal coverage. It highlights the importance of social determinants, intersectoral action, and solidarity-based financing schemes to achieve universal health coverage.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Love/hate relationship to 'foreigners' in Britain in WWII

Research by Professor Wendy Webster uncovers the mixed reactions to foreigners in Britain during WWII, from welcome for Black GIs to hostility towards civilian refugees. The Mixing It project results in a book and Imperial War Museum exhibition examining diverse experiences of war workers, soldiers, and refugees.

Key moment mapped in assembly of DNA-splitting molecular machine

Researchers pinpoint key moments in the beginning of DNA replication, including structural details about the enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix. The study's findings offer insights into how the enzyme becomes reactivated to begin its work splitting the DNA.

Cryptic clues drive new theory of bowel cancer development

Researchers have challenged conventional thinking on bowel cancer development, proposing a new mechanism involving crypt-generating stem cells. The study found that these stem cells are responsible for maintaining and regenerating the 'crypts' in the bowel lining, and their dysfunction may lead to precancerous and cancerous growths.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Weather history time machine

A new software program, SOGP 1.0, enables researchers to reconstruct historical global precipitation patterns, providing insights into major weather events like the Dust Bowl. The tool allows for detailed analysis of oceanic and land-based data, improving our understanding of climate change.

Psychiatrist appointments hard to get, even for insured: Study

Harvard researchers found that only 26% of psychiatrists offered appointments despite making multiple calls, highlighting the challenges faced by patients seeking mental health care. The study also reveals a significant difference in success rates between cities, with Houston having the most accessible psychiatric services.

$6 million in federal funding makes animal feed go further

Researchers will screen proprietary enzymes for digestibility of common ingredients found in Canadian pork and poultry feed and develop commercial products to improve feed conversion and producer profit margins. The project aims to reduce strain on the environment due to decreased animal waste and improve overall animal growth and health.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Australians not prepared for dying with dignity

Despite ongoing calls for improvement, many Australians are unprepared for dying with dignity. Only 14% of the population has an Advance Directive outlining their preferred end-of-life treatment and care options.

Personalised treatment for stress-related diabetes

Researchers at Lund University have developed a personalized treatment for type 2 diabetes that targets the disease mechanism itself, rather than just its symptoms. The treatment, which uses a drug called Yohimbin, has shown promising results in improving insulin secretion in patients with the genetic risk variant.

More physical activity improved school performance

A study by the Sahlgrenska Academy found that two hours of extra physical activity per week can improve school performance in twelve-year-olds. The results showed a larger proportion of students from schools with extra physical activity achieved national learning goals in all subjects compared to control groups.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Common gene variants linked to delayed healing of bone fractures

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine identified common gene variants associated with delayed fracture healing, potentially leading to improved treatment for patients. The study's findings suggest that specific genetic polymorphisms may impair or fail to support fracture healing.

Rats of New York and the diseases they carry

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that NYC rats harbor bacterial and viral pathogens, including Seoul hantavirus and rat hepaciviruses similar to human hepatitis C. The researchers identified 15 pathogens in 133 trapped rats, highlighting the importance of monitoring the city's rodent population.